Yankees will skip Hughes' next start

Joe Girardi announced Wednesday that Phil Hughes would skip his next start, originally scheduled for Sunday against the Rangers, with Dustin Moseley replacing him.

Girardi said the decision was based on Hughes' innings limitation (believed to be about 175) and the timing of today's off day.

"I don't know if there is ever an exact right time to skip a start,'' Girardi said, "but you want him to be able to do what he needs to do down the stretch."

He added that Hughes might be used for an inning in relief before his start next Wednesday in order to stay sharp.

Hughes didn't seem thrilled with the news, although he anticipated such a move was likely. He said he doesn't feel as if he needs time off to prepare for October, but he did not fight the decision.

"There's nothing I can say," Hughes said. "It's not really worth the fight."

Rehab start tonight for Andy

Andy Pettitte is scheduled to make his first rehab start tonight in Trenton, N.J., and likely will make an additional one before returning to the Yankees' rotation, according to Girardi.

"I've always been under the thought that he should probably make another [start] after tomorrow, but we'll just wait and see," Girardi said.

Girardi said he wants to see Pettitte show command of all his pitches and to come out of the start feeling good, the next day, "because [Thursday] when he goes out there it will be another notch of intensity turned up."

Pettitte, on the disabled list since July 19 with a strained left groin, said he's anxious to get back on the mound but will adhere to whatever timetable the team sets for him. "Whenever they want me to pitch,'' he said, "I'll pitch."

Aceves & Marte done

Girardi said relievers Alfredo Aceves (back) and Damaso Marte (shoulder) are out for the rest of the season. Aceves and Marte, who are on the 60-day disabled list, have suffered setbacks in their rehab.